Multiple match packet device



F IG. 4 42 A. G. JANUS MULTIPLE MATCH PACKET DEVICE Filed Febv 17, 1959v FIG-I /15 `lune 12, 1962 ATTORNEY 3,038,595 Patented June 12, 1962 ddee 3,038,595 MULTIPLE MATCH PACKET DEVICE Alexander G. Janus, Rochester, Minn., assignor to Consumers Merchandising Corporation, Rochester, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Feb. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 793,755 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-29) This invention relates to match packets, and more particularly to a multiple match packet device having a dual purpose.

It is an important object of the invention Ito provide a match packet device which will be simple in design and economical to construct, yet will have the capability of being converted to other purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device formed of sheet stock such as cardboard which has both a unitary part and a multiple part. The multiple part constitutes coverings for match packets which are formed from the same sheet stock and are separable from the unitary part and from each other, individually or collectively. The unitary part is intended to be a structural portion of the device, yet constitute an article which is separable therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paper or cardboard blank of simple form which is provided with fold lines and tear lines so interrelated as to produce the desired separable elements without destroying the unitary size and character of an article-producing portion of the sheet which has a dimension spanning the combined width of the individual match packet.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

FiGURE l is a blank of sheet stock having fold lines and tear lines for producing my multiple match packet device;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of the sheet showing the paper match portion fastened thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the completed multiple match packet device with the cover portions in partially opened condition;

FiGURE 4 shows a blank for another form of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a fragment of the blank of FIGURE 4 with paper matches secured thereto; and

FIGURE 6 shows a perspective view of the completed multiple match packet device in partially opened condition as constructed from the blank of FIGURE 4.

With continued reference to the drawing, my multiple match packet device utilizes a blank 10 which is constructed of heavy paper or cardboard material capable of being perforated, scored and folded. For the purposes disclosed herein, the blank 10 may be formed of the same type of cardboard material presently employed for paper bookmatches. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. l, the blank 10 is provided with parallel side edges 11 and has a transverse tear line 12 extending across blank 10 from one side edge 11 to the other. Tear line 12 is positioned intermediate the ends 13 of blank 10 and defines a separable juncture between unitary area 14 and a plurality of match packet cover portions 15, as shown.

It is intended that the unitary area 14 shall be separable individually or collectively from the match packet covers 15 so as to preserve an integral article-producing portion capable of adaptation to a number of varied uses. Thus, the unitary sheet 14 may be utilized to produce an integral postcard of a size to meet postal requirements and having the usual provision `for athxing postage at the upper right hand corner 16, mailing information 17, return information 18, and other written information or requests at area 19. It is understood that either side of the sheet 14 may be imprinted or otherwise utilized without disturbing the unitary and integral nature of the sheet.

The match packet cover portions 15 each have a side edge 20 in common with an adjacent match cover and separable therefrom along the common line when it is desired to remove a match packet from the device. To this end, the common edge 20 may be perforated, cut, or partially cut so as to render the cover portions 15 easily separable from the contiguous cover portion 15. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. l, each of the covers 15 has an end 21 which terminates at the transverse tear line 12 and has another end 22 in oppositely disposed relation terminating at the end edge 13, as shown. Score lines 23 may be formed in a straight line across blank 10 in parallel relation to the end edge 13 so that ends 22 may become securing margins.

rl`he remaining area of each of the covers 15 constitutes a cover flap 24 which, in turn, has collectively formed thereacross a pair of fold lines 25 in spaced parallel relation, as shown. The cover flaps 24 may thus be bent around fold lines 25 to form an encasing structure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a strip of matches 26 is combined with the blank l@ in the manner shown. The strip 26 constitutes a continuous marginal area 27 which may be doubled, as shown in FIG. 3, and provided with clusters of matches 2S so as to provide a base therefor. The heads 29 of the matches are disposed opposite the strip 27 and the clusters 28 may be separated by spaces between their side edges 30, as shown in FlG. 2. Thus, each of the covers 15 has a match cluster 28 encased thereby, and the side margin 27 of the strip 26 is provided with transverse tear lines 31 which are positioned in registry over the separable edge line 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The combined edge margins 22 are folded over the match strip margin 27 and secured jointly with the strip and the lower portion of cover ap 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Fastening means such as staples 32 may be employed to effect the securement.

In completing the multiple match packet structure, the unitary sheet 14 is bent over along the transverse tear line 12 and caused to lie flat against the cover flap 24, as shown in FIG. 3. The unitary sheet 14 may be folded either to the outside of cover flap 24 or to the inside, as desired. As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet area 14 is folded to the inside of the cover flap 24 and thereby becomes positioned behind the match clusters 28. A fold line 32a may be formed across the covers 15 to render them easily bent rearwardly when it is desired to free the edge 13 of the unitary sheet indicated at 14. The cover flaps 24 are then bent around their fold lines 25 and the transverse tear line 12 defines the lower free edge of the combined cover flaps 24, the latter being inserted under the securing margins 22 in conventional manner to enclose all of the match clusters 28.

Now when it is desired to utilize the unitary sheet 14 for its intended purpose, it may be separated simultaneously from all of the match packets along the transverse tear line 12 since all of the terminal ends 21 of the individual cover ilaps 24 lie in alignment along the transverse tear line 12. Unitary sheet 14 may thus serve to introduce advertising matter to the user of the matches and may also serve as a request or order card when properly filled in and mailed. It is understood, of course, that the article-producing unitary sheet 14 may be employed for any other suitable purpose wherein the sheet maintains its unitary nature without disturbing the separable nature of the multiple match packets. The same end is achieved if the individual match packets are consecutively removed from the unitary sheet 14. In such case, the cover flap 24 of one match packet is separated from its neighbor, and the attached end 21 is torn from its associated portion of the tear line 12. When all of the match packets have been individually removed, the integral and unitary sheet 14 will remain. Until such time as the sheet 14 is separated from the individual matchbooks or packets, it may continue to be returned to its flat contacting relation with the remaining cover aps 24 whenever the device is not in use.

Another form of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 wherein the blank is indicated generally at 33. In blank 33, the unitary sheet is shown at 34 and is joined to the individual covers 35 by means of the transverse tear line 36. The unitary sheet l34 is somewhat longer than its counterpart sheet 14 in the rst form shown. The overlapping securing margin of each of the covers 35 is created at 37 adjacent the transverse tear line 36 instead of adjacent the free ends 38 in the manner described in connection with the rst form of the invention. The margins 37 are created by the double fold lines 39, and spaced parallel fold lines 40 define the top area of the packets which cover the match heads.

The same match strip 26 may be employed as described in connection with the first form of the invention. The side margin 27 is now secured to the covers 35 at the ends adjacent the transverse tear line 36 in contradistinction to the position of fastening in the first form which was adjacent the outer edges of the covers 15. The side margin 27 forms the base of matches 28 in the same manner as previously described, and the blank is folded about the base margin 27 at the double fold line 39, as shown in FIG. 5, and fasteners 32 secure each of the cover margins 37 through the associated base 27 and the underlying portion of the cover 35. Tear lines 31 are formed across the base strip 27 and are aligned with the separable side edge lines 41 in the same manner as previously described. Unitary sheet 34 is folded back over the base margin 37 and then around into overlying contact with the covers 35 as shown in FIG. 6. The transverse tear line 36 is thus disposed at the lower portion of the match packet device and is adapted to overlie the free ends 38 of covers 35 as well as the free edge 42 of the unitary sheet 34. In either form of the invention, the area of the overlapping margin 22 in FIG. 2 or 37 in FIG. 4 may -be provided with a suitable surface of texture capable of igniting the match heads 29 when they are struck thereon. The marginal surface 22 will remain exposed as shown in FIG. 3, but the marginal surface 37 will be initially covered in the form shown in FIG. 6. However, upon removal of the unitary article-producing sheet 34, the overlapping magin 37 ywill become exposed and may `be used for striking matches.

As before described, the individual match packets may be consecutively separated at the side lines 41 and at their respective portions of the transverse tear line 36 without disturbing the unitary character of the article-producing sheet 34. Sheet 34 thus becomes adaptable to use as a legally acceptable mailing piece or may be utilized in any other manner requiring a unitary sheet of a width greater than that of a single match packet. The unitary sheet prior to separation from the individual match packets cooperatively functions as a covering member to protect and -strengthen the combined match packets, and this is true whether the sheet is folded inwardly or outwardly of the individual cover members.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions-of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A blank for a multiple match packet device comprising, a at and foldable sheet having a tear line formed thereacross and dening an integral article-producing portion and a multiple cover portion divided into a plurality of elongated contiguous covers, each having a side edge in common with that of an adjacent cover and separable therefrom along said side edge, each of said covers having an end edge terminating at said tear line and having a fold line defining a foldable margin adjacent one end and adapted to overlap and be secured to the base of a cluster of matches, each of said covers being separable from an adjacent cover and from said integral article-producing portion at said tear line.

2. A blank for a multiple match packet device comprising, a flat and foldable sheet having parallel side edges and a transverse tear line traversing said sheet from one edge to the other at a position intermediate the ends thereof, said transverse tear line delining an integral articleproducing portion and a multiple cover portion divided into a plurality of elongated contiguous covers, each having a side edge in a common tear line with that of an adjacent cover, and each of said covers having an end edge terminating at said transverse tear line and having a fold line defining a foldable margin adjacent one end and adapted to overlap and be secured to the base of a cluster of matches, each of said covers being separable from an adjacent cover and from said integral article-producing portion at said transverse tear line.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,671,947 Hutchinson May 29, 1928 2,069,333 Salsberg Feb. 2, 1937 2,089,355 Gavside Aug. 10, 1937 2,109,318 Lichter Feb. 22, 1938 2,623,686 Covan Dec. 20, 1952 2,784,838 Will Mar. 12, 1957 

